1752, upon the death of Dr Hart, he was recommended by the Duke of Dorset, then Viceroy of Ireland, to the vacant Archbishopric of Tuam. But a negative was put upon him in England, solely on account of his being regarded as the writer of the Essay."*

Clayton's pen was actively employed. He wrote a Vindication of the History of the Old and New Testaments, in which he replied to Bolingbroke and others, and discussed with deep research, and in an able manner, many points of heathen and christian antiquity. He also held a correspondence with William Penn on Baptism. But the most remarkable circumstance in his life, was the delivery of the Speech, selected for the present work. On this subject the words of Dr Kippis may again be quoted.

"He had been long dissatisfied with the Athanasian Creed, nor did he approve the Nicene Creed in every particular; on which accounts he was not a little disturbed, that they continued to be a part of the liturgy of the Church. These sentiments he had declared in his writings; but this, upon mature deliberation, did not appear to him a sufficient discharge of his christian duty. He determined, therefore, to avow the same sentiments in his legislative capacity, and accordingly on Monday, the 2d of February, 1756, he propos the Irish House of Lords, that the Nicene and nasian creeds should, for the future, be left out

* Kippis' Edition of the Biographia Brit. Art. C

liturgy of the church of Ireland. The speech, which this prelate delivered upon this interesting occasion, being taken down in short hand, was afterwards published and hath gone through several editions. When the Bishop returned from the House of Peers, he expressed to a gentleman, who accompanied him in his coach, his entire satisfaction with what he had done. He said, that his mind was eased of a load, which had long lain upon it; and that he now enjoyed a heartfelt pleasure, to which he had been a stranger for above twenty years before."

But whatever satisfaction the Bishop of Clogher might enjoy, in the conviction of having obeyed the dictates of conscience, and discharged a duty, his biographer subjoins, that "he had not the additional felicity of obtaining the approbation of his auditors." In short, he was never afterward regarded with a friendly eye by his brethren of the church; and when, two years from that time, the Third Part of his Vindication came out, in which he renewed his attacks on the Trinity, and spoke with warmth in favour of freedom of opinion and latitude of research, those in authority resolved to issue a process against him. A day was appointed for his examination and trial, but before it arrived he was seized with a fever, and died on the 26th of February, 1758. His death was supposed to have been hastened, if not caused, by the anxiety and agitation into which he was thrown, on account of these hostile and persecuting acts of his enemies

Clayton was distinguished for an amiable temper, catholic spirit, and charitable deeds. The following anec

dote illustrates his character, and is equally creditable to all the parties concerned.

"While on a visit to London, a person of respectable appearance called on him to ask charity. Suspecting imposition he at first declined, but when the name of Dr Clarke was incidentally mentioned by the person, Clayton told him, if he would obtain a certificate from Dr Clarke, respecting the necessity of his circumstances, he would afford him aid. A certificate was produced, and without further inquiry, he gave him three hundred pounds, which sum was abundantly sufficient to relieve him from all his embarrassments. Hearing of this noble act of benevolence, Dr Clarke sought the acquaintance of Clayton, and introduced him to the Queen, who was so much delighted with the simplicity of his manners, the gentleness of his disposition, his benevolent and charitable spirit, that she immediately provided for his being appointed to the first vacant Bishopric in Ireland." He inherited a large patrimony from his father, part of which he generously bestowed in doubling the portion of each of his sisters. Nearly the whole of his revenues from the church is said to have been distributed among the worthy and necessitous, in acts of munificence.

SPEECH

OF

BISHOP CLAYTON,

BEFORE THE IRISH HOUSE OF LORDS,

ON

SUBSCRIPTION TO ARTICLES AND CREEDS.

MY LORDS,

It has been long wished, that there could be a method found out, for more effectually uniting his Majesty's Protestant subjects, and for making the terms of their conformity to the established church more easy and agreeable to them.

I have, therefore, ventured to prepare a few short heads of a bill for that purpose, as I mentioned to your Lordships at our last meeting; which, though they may not be sufficient to complete the work, may, at least, contribute to prepare and pave the way towards it. But, before I present your Lordships with these heads of a bill, which I have now in my hands, I believe it will be expected, that I should say something to open, and explain the purport and design of them, which consists of two parts.

The first of which is designed to rectify a mistake in the act of uniformity, passed in the 17th and 18th of King Charles the Second. In part of which there is an omission, which seems to defeat and contradict the very intent of the act. But, as I apprehend, that if that part of the act was now read, your lordships would immediately perceive where the error lies; I therefore, humbly move that, that part of the act may now be read. Which was read as follows.

"Be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that every parson, vicar, or other minister whatsoever, who now hath, and enjoyeth, any ecclesiastical benefice or promotion, within this realm of Ireland, shall in the church, chapel, or place of public worship, belonging to his said benefice, or promotion, upon some Lord's day, before the first day of the annunciation of the blessed virgin Mary, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1667, openly, publicly, and solemnly read the morning and evening prayer appointed by this act to be read, by and according to the said book of common prayer, at the times thereby appointed; and after such reading thereof, shall openly and publicly, before the congregation there assembled, declare his unfeigned assent and consent to the use of all things in the said book contained and prescribed, in these words and no other.

666

"I, A. B. do hereby declare my unfeigned assent and consent to all and every thing contained and prescribed in, and by the book, entitled, The Book of